GEBE reported in Thursday’s paper that electricity has been fully restored. Some might say that’s rather late, more than six months after the catastrophic passage of Hurricane Irma, but considering the extensive damage suffered to overhead powerlines, transformers, production equipment, the water storage and distribution network, offices and vehicles, it’s actually quite a feat and compares favourably to other also-storm-ravaged countries in the region.
What’s more, many resorts and other large consumers that generate much of the utilities provider’s income remain closed. Despite all that, the elderly relief programme is being resumed.
The restoration of streetlights that’s very important for the tourism economy too was impressive, as about 80 per cent had been knocked out. New fuse boxes, fixtures, poles of two different sizes as well as LED lights needed to be ordered and were received by the end of February, just over two weeks ago.
That the natural disaster had a negative impact on the government-owned company’s finances became clear from recent comments by the St. Maarten Communications Union (SMCU) that represents the workers. They were told that the current situation does not allow for the two per cent pay raise requested and have been offered a one-time extra “lump sum” of two weeks’ salary instead.
Under the circumstances one can understand management’s cautious approach regarding the proposed power purchase agreement for a waste-to-energy plant. If indeed the cost is to be higher than that of what is now generated with fuel, this is certainly a factor to be carefully weighed.
It’s often been suggested that GEBE should not be used as a so-called “cash cow” by applying its multi-million-guilder profits to cover national budget deficits as was the case in the past. The “good news” – in a sense – is that doing so most probably is no longer an option, nor will it be any time soon.
